How to Become a Better Leader on the Job

I have been asked by several of my colleagues if I have any advice on how to become a leader, or a more effective leader. After I put some thought to the matter, I came up with several recommendations.

First of all, if you’re aiming for a leadership position, you can’t be shy. Overcome any potential inhibitions, or passivity. You have to have initiative, perseverance and drive.  I don’t remember who said it, but one of my favorite quotes on leadership is: “Leaders don’t wait. They shape their own frontiers.”

I offer these strategies for shaping your own future:

Absorb knowledge. Gain expertise in all business functions of your organization — including procurement, human resources, contracting, information technology, budgeting, and project management— even if these topics don’t interest you. You then will be prepared to make sound  judgments about all operations.

Identify your knowledge gaps and then fill them by seeking appropriate projects, detail assignments and volunteer experience. Exploit training opportunities offered by your agency and professional organizations.

Toughen your skin.  It’s lonely at the top; you have to be prepared for that. Being a strong leader sometimes requires making unpopular decisions, and even sometimes making decisions that you might not necessarily agree with yourself. You must be prepared to take the bull by the horns, and bear criticism and negative responses from others.

Remember the importance of providing a clear, strong rationale for decisions after the fact.  Be prepared to explain the consequences of your actions and inactions.

Listen to the objectors. Try to respond in a positive, professional manner.  Always thank others for their different points of view.

Create a safe environment for colleagues, staffers and others to provide honest feedback — including opposing arguments — on your decisions, speeches and strategies.

Go for the long haul. Don’t let occasional defeats paralyze you. You don’t need a 100 percent success rate to maintain a leadership position.

Leaders, especially political leaders, don’t win every election and might not be on the winning side of every vote. But you have to stay in the game, and have a generally good win-loss record. Most importantly, persistence with integrity pays off.

Get beyond flattery. Get outside of insulated bubbles filled by ego-boosting yes people and aggressively solicit candor from advisers.

Reward others. Part of being a benevolent and popular leader is to publicly thank hard-working staffers for their contributions.

Acknowledge milestones in the lives of your staff. A congratulation   on a staffers promotion, anniversary, or birthday, may make big, lasting impressions on those whose support you need.